The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has announced Matthew Laing as its 2021 Cybec Young Composer in Residence. Through the MSO’s year-long program, supported by the Cybec Foundation, Laing will be commissioned to write a number of new works for the orchestra’s 2021 season.

Matthew Laing. Photo © Sharon Gertner

Laing is a violist and composer who studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He took part in the Flinders Quartet’s Composer Development Program in 2017 and has worked with fellow violist and composer Brett Dean in Berlin. As one of four participants in the MSO’s Cybec Young Composer Program in 2019, Laing was selected for the Young Composer in Residence position.

“I’m absolutely delighted to follow my participation in the Cybec Young Composer Program this year as the 2021 Young Composer in Residence,” Laing said. “Having played viola as a casual musician with the orchestra for a number of years now it also means a lot to be able to write for my colleagues and friends, and share my work with friends and family in my home city.”

The MSO also announced its 2020 Cybec Young Composers with Alexander Turley, Sam Wu, Georgia Scott, and...